20 Infuriating Video Game Bosses Nobody Beat First Time
4. Mike Tyson (Mike Tyson's Punch Out)
Perhaps one of gaming's founding forefathers of painstakingly difficult final bosses, it was obvious that the final fight with Tyson himself was always going to be a tiny bit more difficult than the other opponents you had faced in the run-up. Tyson was always a particularly frustrating boss to fight because it required such a high amount of skill just to get to him in the first place. Playing through the game often felt like you were never even going to reach the boxer at all, even after you muster up the skill and luck to take on challengers such as Mr. Sandman. Yet it wouldnt be called Mike Tysons Punch Out if the eponymous boxer wasnt going to make a glorious and nightmare-inducing appearance at some point. Iron Mike himself could be beaten quickly if you had the chance to attempt him a few times in a row, but if you stumble out the gates and get taken aback by Tysons frantic flurry of jabs and hooks then youre just damn out of luck, because that mistake will cost you the entire game. In classic old-school gaming fashion, snuff it against Iron Mike and youll be starting right back at the beginning, with a laborious climb ahead of you if you even want the chance to face off against the boss again. Hows that for punishment?
Josh has over 11 years of experience as a published writer, having worked full time as a content producer at WhatCulture for nine years. In that time he has created hundreds of articles, videos and podcast episodes for multiple channels, specialising in subjects such as gaming, horror and film & TV. He now primarily works as a senior content producer and presenter on WhatCulture Gaming where he co-hosts the WhatCulture Gaming Podcast, a top 3 most listened to gaming podcast in the UK that he co-created in 2018. Over the years he has reviewed several high-profile gaming releases, covered industry events with on-site reporting, covered breaking news, and even kicked off his interviewing career by chatting to childhood hero, Tommy Wiseau.